Tip Top Bio-Control Technical Bulletin

Mesoseiulus longipes

Target Pest:
Spider mites.

Description:
It occurs naturally in South Africa and on greenhouse plants. This predator has five life stages; egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph and adult. Females predominant 4:1. Will complete a generation in one week depending on temperature. Does best in warm to hot greenhouses. Tolerant of lower humidity (40% relative humidity at 70°F.). Does not do well on outside crops.

Release Rates:
Release rates in greenhouses are highly variable. Release at least one predator per plant or one predator per square foot in greenhouses at the first sign of spider mites. Later releases will require much higher numbers.

Product Information:
Highly perishable, the predators should be used immediately upon delivery.

Strategic Considerations:
Susceptible to pesticides. Field tolerance will vary with spray timing, application methods, weather and crop. Avoid spraying crop one week before or after releasing predators. Some materials may be toxic to predators for up to four weeks.